Atv plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method for installing same

ABSTRACT

A plow or other front-mounted accessories support frame assembly for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is provided. The plow is attached to a frame which comprises, at its rearward end, a novel locking system. The locking system comprises pivotally attached locking hooks to securely attach the support frame assembly to the ATV underside. A handle, connected to the locking hooks via linking cables, preferably allows for the unlocking of the support frame assembly from the ATV.

ATV plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method forinstalling same.

FIELD ON THE INVENTION

This invention relates to front-end mounted accessory support frameassembly for a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to aplow support frame assembly for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) comprising aquick locking and unlocking system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since a couple of years, the All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) market has beengrowing steadily. Moreover, ATV users have been using their vehicle fornew tasks such as snow removal, load transport, etc. To help ATV usersmake the fullest use of their vehicle, numerous accessories have beenput on the market. Snow plow assemblies, traction kits, carrying casesand trailer hitches just to name a few.

However, in order for the ATV user to use an accessory to its fullcapacity, the accessory must be easy to use but more importantly, easyto install. In the field of snow plow and other front-mountedaccessories support frame assemblies, this is even more important sincethese assemblies are generally relatively heavy and thus difficult tomanipulate and install. The present invention simplifies theinstallation and uninstallation of a snow plow support frame assembly bymeans of a novel locking system.

Since the support frame assembly of the present invention can be usedwith accessories other than plows, hereinafter, the term “plow” shall beconstrued broadly and shall therefore relate to any front-mountedaccessories such as plow, snow blade and other similarly mountedaccessories.

Systems currently on the market are not easy or are time consuming toinstall. In the vast majority of cases, when the user is alone, he orshe (hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, only the masculine formwill be used) must use brute force to install the plow assembly on hisATV. This comes from the fact that all the weight of the plow assemblyrests on the ground, thus, the user must overcome the friction forcebetween the ground and the plow. Moreover, since a snow plow or bladeare generally made of metal, they can be relatively heavy and thefriction force between the ground and the plow can be relatively large.

Thus, in general, most systems currently on the market necessitate atleast two individuals to install a plow support frame assembly on an ATVin a quick and easy manner. The present invention overcomes thisdrawback by allowing a single user to install the novel plow supportframe assembly on his ATV quickly and, most importantly, with verylittle effort.

Most plow support frame assemblies sold on the market today must beattached, underneath the ATV, by means of pins or bolts and screws. InU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,502,334; 6,843,002 and RE37,628, the rear end of theplow support frame is attached to the underside of the ATV with pins.Thus, the user must individually align each attach bracket of the plowsupport frame with each bracket of the ATV and then insert the pin orbolt. This operation can be difficult and time consuming. U.S. Pat. No.6,732,811 discloses a different attaching system comprising of U-shapedbolts. This system is not easier to use since the plow support frameassembly must first be positioned in place before the U-bolts can beattached to the frame. Furthermore, each end of each U-bolt must besecured in place by means of a screw.

There exists, however, plow support frame assemblies with quick connectsystems for use on tractors, small trucks and all-terrain vehicles.Systems that resemble most systems used on ATV's are those used on smalltrucks. Examples of such systems can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,594,924; 6,381,880; 6,209,231 and 6,145,222. These patents disclose aplow support frame assembly wherein the attachment means comprise afemale element, fixedly attached to the underside front portion of thetruck. The female element further comprises a transversal metal rod. Themale element, located on the plow assembly frame, has a shape generallymatching the shape of the female element in order to have an adequateconnection. The plow support frame assembly attachment means furthercomprise one or a plurality of latches. Thus, to install the plowsupport frame assembly described in the aforementioned patents, one mustalign the truck, equipped with the female element, with the plow supportframe assembly. Then, the male element is inserted in the femaleelement, generally by driving the truck forward. Upon completion of theinsertion, the latch or latches are pivoted around the transversal metalrod in order to securely lock the plow support frame assembly to thetruck.

A similar plow support frame assembly for ATVs has been built by PolarisIndustries. In the system of Polaris, the user drives his ATV partlyover the plow support frame assembly, a part of which automaticallyconnects with the ATV. Then, the user, using his winch, raises the plowsupport frame assembly and finishes the installation.

Finally, another system is disclosed in the US patent applicationpublication no. 2004/0148811. This system is very similar to the onedisclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,594,924; 6,381,880; 6,209,231 and6,145,222 described earlier. In this system, the locking mechanismbetween the plow assembly frame and the ATV is not readily accessibleand is not automatic.

Thus, there is indeed a need for a new and improved locking system for aplow support frame assembly for an ATV.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a new lockingmechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which is easyto install.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lockingmechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which locksitself automatically upon installation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lockingmechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which can beunlocked easily by the user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lockingmechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which will notunlock itself accidentally during use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments aboutto be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and variousadvantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the artupon employment of the invention in practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To attain these and other objects which will become more apparent as thedescription proceeds according to one aspect of the present invention,there is provided plow support frame assembly for an ATV which comprisesan improved locking mechanism.

The plow support frame assembly of the present invention generallycomprises a plow and preferably a plow angular adjustment assembly whichitself comprises an angular latch bracket and an unlocking handle. Theplow support frame assembly further comprises a frame having a forwardportion and a rearward portion, at least one but preferably two lockinghooks and at least one but preferably two linking cables.

The plow of the plow support frame assembly is preferably pivotallyattached to the plow angular adjustment assembly which is itselfpreferably pivotally attached to the forward portion of the frame. Thelocking hooks are preferably pivotally attached to the frame rearwardportion. The unlocking handle and the locking hooks are linked by atleast one but preferably two cables.

Other aspects and many of the attendant advantages will be more readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description and considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate likeelements throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the plowsupport frame assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up isometric view of the angular adjustment assemblyof the plow support frame assembly.

FIG. 3 is a close-up isometric view of the underside of the angularadjustment assembly of the plow support frame assembly.

FIG. 4 is a close-up isometric view of the locking mechanism of the plowsupport frame assembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the plow support frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the frame of the support frame assemblyof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the frame of the support frame assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the frame of the support frame assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6D is a rear view of the frame of the support frame assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6E is a front view of the frame of the support frame assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the angular adjustment plate of thesupport frame assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the angular adjustment plate of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the angular adjustment plate of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of the angular latch bracket of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the angular latch bracket of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8C is a side view of the angular latch bracket of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is an isometric view of the unlocking handle of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the unlocking handle of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9C is a side view of the unlocking handle of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9D is a top view of the unlocking handle of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1 in its unfolded form.

FIG. 10A is a side view of the right locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10B is an isometric view of the right locking hook of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10C is a front view of the right locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10D is a side view of the right locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1 in its unfolded form.

FIG. 11A is a side view of the left locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B is an isometric view of the left locking hook of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11C is a rear view of the left locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11D is a side view of the left locking hook of the support frameassembly of FIG. 1 in its unfolded form.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the plow assembly and an ATV prior to theinstallation of the plow support frame assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly uponinstallation on an ATV.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly once installedon an ATV.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are close-up views of the locking mechanism of the plowsupport frame assembly as locked on an ATV.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly upon actuationof the unlocking handle.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, we can see the plow support frame assembly 100 ofthe present invention. The plow support frame assembly generallycomprises a plow 200 or other front-mounted similar devices, an angularadjustment assembly 300, a frame 400 and a locking mechanism 500.Referring to FIG. 2, we see that the angular adjustment assembly 300comprises an angular latch bracket 600, an angular latch 650 and anunlocking bracket 700 comprising an unlocking device preferablyconfigured as a handle 710. Since the plow support frame assembly 100comprises several component parts, each of which will be describedindividually prior to describe the full system.

Plow Assembly Frame

Referring to FIG. 6A, we can see the frame 400 of the plow support frameassembly. This frame 400 is preferably a A-shape frame having a forwardend and a rearward end. The width of the forward end is preferablysmaller than the width of the rearward end. The frame 400 comprises twopreferably metallic tubes 406 and 407. At about a third of way, startingfrom the forward end, the tubes are slightly bent 410 upwardly in orderto add more clearance to the plow support frame assembly 100.

The two tubes 406 and 407 are linked together at the forward end by twopreferably metal plates 401 and 408. The first plate 401 is located onthe upper side of the frame 400, above the tubes 406 and 407. The shapeof the plate generally matches the shape of the A-frame forward end. Theplate 401 has a front portion and a back portion. The front portion ofthe plate comprises a hole which allows the mounting of the angularadjustment assembly 300 by means of a screw, bolt, pin or the like.

The back portion of the plate comprises holes to secure the angularlatch bracket 600 with screws, bolts, pins or the like. The back portionalso comprises a slot to allow the passage of the angular latch 650. Therearmost portion of the plate in bent downwardly, preferably at 90°, toadd rigidity to the frame 400.

The second plate 408 is a reinforcing plate having a L-shape. The plateis fixedly attached to the end of both tubes 406 and 407 and to thefirst plate 401 as shown in FIG. 6A. This second plate 408 alsocomprises a hole, aligned with hole of the front portion of the firstplate 401, which allows the mounting of the angular adjustment assembly300.

The combination of plate 401 and plate 408 improves the strength of theframe 400, particularly at the forward end. Other means to improve thestrength of the frame, such as adding more plates or to attach theangular assembly 300, the angular latch bracket 600 or other parts, suchas welding, could also be used without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Located along the tubes, inside the frame 400 as shown in FIG. 6A, arecable guides 405. There is one or more guides 405 on each tube and eachguide 405 is preferably welded on the tube. The cable guides 405 arepreferably small metal mounts comprising an aperture. The cable guidesallow to redirect the cables 800 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for the lockingsystem 500 and to prevent cables from scraping against the ground or thevehicle.

The rearward end of the A-frame comprises two attachments means 402 and403 and an angle iron 404.

The two attachments means 402 and 403 are two preferably metallicplates. Only one plate 403 will hereinafter be described since the twoplates 402 and 403 are of symmetric nature as best seen in FIGS. 6A and6B. The front portion of the plate 403 is fixedly attached, preferablyby welding, to the rear end of the tube 407. The plate 403 is slightlybent, toward the interior of the frame, in order to be parallel with itscorresponding symmetric plate 402. This bent thus defines the frontportion, already described and a rear portion. As seen in FIG. 6A, therear portion comprises a recess 411 with an innermost radius generallymatching the radius of the support rod or bar located of the ATV (seeFIGS. 15 and 16). The portion 413 above the recess is bent toward theexterior of the frame. Thus, taken together, the portions 413 and 415above the recess define a funnel like shape which helps to attach theframe to the ATV. The portion under the recess is not bent. This portionincludes a circular hole which receives the fastening means for securingthe locking hook 510 to the attachment means 403. This hole also definesa pivot point for the locking hook 510. The portion further includes anarcuate aperture which allows the locking hook 510 to pivot around thepivot point. This arcuate aperture also limits the rotational movementof the locking hook 510.

Finally, located between both attachment means and at the rear end ofthe tube is the iron angle 404. This iron angle 404 serves two purposes.First, it gives an adequate support to the attachment means 402 and 403and secondly, it rigidities the rearward portion of the A-frame. Ironangle 404 comprises two oblong apertures, preferably located near theattachment means, one on each side. More precisely, these oblongapertures are located at the intersection between the interior of theA-frame and the interior of the tube. The part of these apertureslocated in the interior of the A-frame allows the passage of the cables800. The part located in the interior of the tubes allows any wateraccumulated inside one of the tubes 406 and 407 to be expelled.

Angular Adjustment Assembly

The angular adjustment assembly 300 is the link between the plow 200 andthe frame 400. The angular adjustment assembly 300 acts as plow 200 orother accessory mounting assembly and also allows the adjustment of theangle of the plow 200.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the piece of equipment is a plate 301preferably made of metal. This plate comprises a plurality of angularadjustment notches 303. Preferably, these notches 303 are located at25°, 12.5°, 0°, −12.5° and −25°. It is to be noted that these angles areby no means limitative in nature and other angles could be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. The number of notches 303 canalso be changed.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the sides 305 and 307 of the plate 301 are bentupwardly, preferably at 90°. These bent sides 305 and 307 furthercomprises small ears 309 and 311 bent outwardly (best shown in FIG. 7B).These ears 309 and 311 include a hole which is used to secure the plowretaining spring. The bent sides 305 and 307 further include downwardprotuberances. Each protuberance includes a hole reinforced with weldedmetal rings or flat bars. These holes receive the bolts that secure theplow 200 to the angular adjustment assembly 300.

The front portion of the plate 301 is also bent upwardly, preferably at90°. This bent portion adds some strength to the angular adjustmentassembly 300.

As seen in FIG. 7A, the plate 301 further comprises a hole 313,approximately located in the center of the plate 301. This hole 313 alsodefines a pivot point around which the angular adjustment assembly 300will pivot. This is also reinforced with a welded metal ring. Locatednear the notches 303 is an arcuate aperture 315. This aperture 315,which allows the passage of a fixating pin or bolt of the angular latchbracket 600, also limits the angular travel of the angular adjustmentassembly 300.

Angular Latch Bracket

As best shown in FIG. 8A, the angular latch bracket 600 is generally asmall metal base plate 601 onto which two parallel protuberances 602 and603 are projecting upwardly. These protuberances 602 and 603 are atright angle with the metal base plate 601. These two protuberances 602and 603 further comprise two aligned holes 612 and 613, one in eachprotuberance, which also define a pivot point. The space defined betweenthe protuberances 602 and 603 is where the latch 650 (see FIG. 2) willbe located. The latch will pivot around the pivot point defined by theholes 612 and 613.

The base plate 601 further comprises a plurality of fastening holes,preferably three, which will be used to attach the base plate onto theangular adjustment assembly 300. The base plate 601 also includes anelongated slot or aperture 620. This aperture 620 allows the passage ofthe latch 650 when the aperture 620 is aligned with one of the angularadjustment notches 303 previously described.

Unlocking Bracket

The unlocking bracket 700, best seen in FIG. 9A, is a U-shape piece 701,preferably made of bent metal. The bent sides 702 and 703 of the openingbracket 700 comprise attachment holes 714 and 715 and cable attachmentmeans 704 and 705. The attachment holes 714 and 715, which are aligned,define a pivot point for the handle to pivot around. One of the side 702or 703 further comprises an elongated protuberance 710 which acts as thehandle. In FIG. 9A, the handle 710 extends from bent side 703.

Locking Hooks

As best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, the main use of the locking hooks 510and 520 is to securely attach the frame 400 of the plow support frameassembly 100 to the support rod located on the ATV. As seen in FIG. 4,the locking hooks 510 and 520 are two symmetric pieces of equipment.Each hook is associated with one attachment means 402 and 403 of theframe 400. FIGS. 10A-10B and 11A-11B show detailed views of each of thelocking hooks 510 520. Since both hooks 510 and 520 are symmetric innature, only hook 520 of FIG. 10A-10B will be described. Hook 520comprises a round portion 521 and a pointed portion 522. The pointedportion 522 is directed toward the ATV and allows the support rod toslide along the slope 526 of the locking hook 520. At the end of theslope side 526 of the point portion is a recess 523 which has a radiusgenerally matching the radius of the support rod of the ATV (see FIGS.15 and 16). It is this recess 523 that effectively locks the frame 400to the ATV.

The locking hook 520 also comprise a small protuberance 524, bentinwardly, which protuberance 524 comprises cable attachment means 525.The locking hook 520 further comprises pin holes which allow the lockinghook 520 to pivot around the pin (not shown).

As best seen in FIG. 4, the locking hooks 510 and 520 are held in placevia a bolt and nut assembly and a torsion spring. The torsion springseffectively keep the locking hooks 510 and 520 in locked position.

Linking Cables

The linking cables 800, best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, act as amechanical link between the unlocking bracket 700 and the locking hooks510 and 520. At both ends of each cable 800 are mounting loops 810 and820. The loops are inserted into the cable attachments means of theunlocking handle 704 and 705 and of the locking hooks 515 and 525. Thelinking cables 800 allow the actuation of the locking hooks 510 and 520by the actuation of the unlocking bracket 700. The skilled addresseewill understand that other similar linking mechanisms, devices or meanscould be used instead.

Plow

Since the design of plow 200 and other front-mounted accessories isgenerally known in the art, it is considered outside the scope of thisinvention and will not be described any further.

General System Functioning

Since the plow support frame assembly 100 is symmetric in nature, onlyone side of the system will be described for the sake of simplicity.

Starting from the forward end of the plow support frame assembly 100,the plow 200 is pivotally attached to the angular adjustment assembly300, preferably using bolts and nuts. So attached, the plow 200 canpivot around a horizontal axis. The plow 200 is also linked to theangular adjustment assembly 300 via retaining springs 213 and 215.

The angular adjustment assembly 300 is pivotally attached to the forwardend of the A-frame 400, preferably on the front plates 401, using nutand bolt. On top of the angular adjustment assembly 300 is the angularlatch bracket 600 which is attached to the first plate 401 of the frame400 using nuts and bolts. As seen in FIG. 2, the angular latch bracket600 is completed with the angular latch 650 and the unlocking bracket700. The latch 650 is kept in its angular notch 303 by a small retainingspring 651 (see FIG. 3).

To create a small space between the angular adjustment assembly 300 andthe first plate 401 of the forward end of the frame 400, a ring spacerand an anchoring bracket 900 are inserted between the angular latchbracket 600 and the first plate 401. The anchoring bracket 900 alsoserves as attachment means for the winch hook 950 (see FIG. 13).

This single latch 650 and bracket 700 assembly have the particularlyinteresting characteristic to allow the latch 650 and the bracket 700 tofunction independently one from the other.

To the unlocking bracket 700 are attached to two steel cables 800. Thesecables then go through the cable guides 405, through the oblongapertures in the angle iron 404 and up to the locking hooks 510 and 520.These hooks 510 and 520 are pivotally attached to the rearward endattachment plates 402 and 403 of the frame 400 via at least nuts andbolts. To allow a better functioning of the locking mechanism 500,washers can be inserted between the locking hooks 510 and 520 and theattachments plates 402 and 403. These washers prevent dirt, ice or snowto block the locking mechanism 500. The locking hooks 510 and 520 aremaintained in locked position by preconstrained torsion springsgenerally coaxially mounted between the fixating nut and bolt as seen inFIG. 4.

To install the plow support frame assembly 100, the user of the ATVdrives his vehicle partly over the rearward end of the frame as seen inFIGS. 12 and 13. The frame 400 is most preferably aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the ATV. The user then gets down from his ATV andattaches the winch hook to the anchoring bracket 900. Then, using thewinch, the user raises the plow support frame assembly 100 approximatelyfour (4) inches or ten (10) centimeters from the ground. The user, asshown in FIG. 13, then goes in the front of the plow and pushes the plowsupport frame assembly 100 on the support rod or bar located on the ATV.By sliding along the slopes 516 and 526 of the locking hooks 510 and 520and the attachment plates 402 and 403, the rod forces open the lockinghooks 510 and 520. When the rod is completely inside the recesses 513and 523, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the locking hooks 510 and 520forcefully return to their locked position with the help of the torsionsprings. The user then returns on his ATV and lowers the plow assemblyusing the winch.

To remove the plow support frame assembly 100, the user lowers the plowassembly with the winch and gets down from his ATV. Then, by pulling onthe unlocking handle 710, as shown in FIG. 17, the user actuates thelocking hooks 510 and 520 to their unlocked position. Then, simply bypulling on the assembly 100 while maintaining the pulling force on theunlocking handle 710, the support rod is extracted from the recesses411, 412, 513 and 523 and thus, from the locking mechanism 500.

Although the present plow support frame assembly with a quick lockingsystem has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it isto be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of exampleonly and that the present invention is not limited to the features ofthe embodiment(s) described and illustrated herein, but includes allvariations and modifications within the scope and spirit of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A support frame assembly for supporting a front-mounted accessory ona vehicle, said assembly comprising: a. a frame having a forward portionand a rearward portion; b. an accessory mounting assembly; c. anunlocking device; d. locking device; and e. linking means; wherein saidmounting assembly is mounted to said frame forward portion, saidunlocking device is mounted adjacent to said forward portion, saidlocking device is mounted to said frame rearward portion and whereinsaid unlocking device and said locking device are operatively connectedvia said linking means.
 2. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim1, wherein said unlocking device is a piece fixed to said support frameassembly having a means to actuate said first linking means.
 3. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said unlockingdevice has a pivot point.
 4. A support frame assembly as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said unlocking device further comprises a first portionextending from said pivot point.
 5. A support frame assembly as claimedin claim 4, wherein said unlocking device further comprises a secondportion extending from said pivot point.
 6. A support frame assembly asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said first portion and second portion aresubstantially perpendicular to each other.
 7. A support frame assemblyas claimed in claim 4, wherein said linking means is connected to saidfirst portion.
 8. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 7,wherein when a force is applied on said second portion, said unlockingdevice rotates around said pivot point and thereby actuates said linkingmeans.
 9. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidlinking means is attached to said locking device.
 10. A support frameassembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said linking means is a cable.11. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lockingdevice is adapted to lock onto a support rod of said vehicle.
 12. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein said lockingdevice is defined by a combination of a receiving portion located at therearward portion of said support frame and a locking element movablymounted adjacent to said receiving portion, said locking element havingat least a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to saidreceiving portion.
 13. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 12,wherein said receiving portion is fixedly mounted to said support frame.14. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein saidlocking element is pivotally mounted to said receiving portion.
 15. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said receivingportion defines a first recess.
 16. A support frame assembly as claimedin claim 15, wherein said locking element defines a second recess.
 17. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein when said lockingelement is in locked position, said first recess and said second recessdefines an aperture sized to receive said support rod.
 18. A supportframe assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said locking elementcomprises a pointed portion adjacent to a slope portion extending towardsaid second recess whereby said support rod can slide along said slopeportion.
 19. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 18, whereinsaid second recess and said slope portion define a hook-like portion tolock said support rod.
 20. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim14, wherein said locking element pivots when said unlocking device isactuated.
 21. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 14, whereinsaid locking element further comprises attachment means for connectionwith said linking means.
 22. A support frame assembly as claimed inclaim 21, wherein said attachment means are located on a protuberance.23. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein saidprotuberance extends from said locking element.
 24. A support frameassembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein said locking device furthercomprises resilient means for keeping said locking element in saidlocked position.
 25. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 24,wherein when said locking device is pushed against said support rod,said support rod slides along said slope portion of said locking elementand forces said locking element to pivot, thereby allowing said supportrod to enter said first recess.
 26. A support frame assembly as claimedin claim 11, wherein said locking device comprises: a. a first receivingportion located on a first side of said rearward portion of said supportframe; b. a second receiving portion located on a second side of saidrearward portion of said support frame; c. a first locking elementmovably mounted adjacent to said first receiving portion, said firstlocking element having at least a locked position and an unlockedposition with respect to said first receiving portion; d. a secondlocking element movably mounted adjacent to said second receivingportion, said second locking element having at least a locked positionand an unlocked position with respect to said second receiving portion.27. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein said firstand second receiving portions are fixedly mounted to said support frame.28. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein said firstlocking element is pivotally mounted to said first receiving portion andsaid second locking element is pivotally mounted to said secondreceiving portion.
 29. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 28,wherein said first receiving portion defines a first recess.
 30. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 29, wherein said secondreceiving portion defines a second recess.
 31. A support frame assemblyas claimed in claim 30, wherein said first locking element defines athird recess.
 32. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 31,wherein said second locking element defines a fourth recess.
 33. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein when said firstand said second locking elements are in said locked position, said firstand third recesses define a first aperture and said second and fourthrecesses define a second aperture, both said apertures being sized toreceive said support rod.
 34. A support frame assembly as claimed inclaim 33, wherein said first locking element comprises a first pointedportion adjacent to a first slope portion extending toward said thirdrecess and said second locking element comprises a second pointedportion adjacent to a second slope portion extending toward said fourthrecess whereby said support rod can slide along said first slope portionand said second slope portion.
 35. A support frame assembly as claimedin claim 34, wherein said third recess and said first slope portiondefine a first hook-like portion and said fourth recess and said secondslope portion define a second hook-like portion, both said hook-likeportions being adapted to lock said support rod.
 36. A support frameassembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first and second lockingelements pivot when said unlocking device is actuated.
 37. A supportframe assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein said first lockingelement further comprises first attachment means for connection withsaid linking means and wherein said second locking element furthercomprises second attachment means for connection with said linkingmeans.
 38. A support frame assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein saidrespective first and second attachment means are located on a respectivefirst and second protuberance.
 39. A support frame assembly as claimedin claim 38, wherein said respective first and second protuberancesextend from said respective first and second locking elements.
 40. Asupport frame assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein said lockingdevice further comprises resilient means for keeping said first and saidsecond locking elements in said locked position.
 41. A support frameassembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein when said locking device ispushed against said support rod, said support rod slides along saidfirst and said second slope portions of said respective first and secondlocking elements and forces said first and second locking elements topivot, thereby allowing said support rod to enter said first and saidsecond recesses.
 42. A support frame assembly for supporting afront-mounted accessory on a vehicle, said support frame assemblycomprising: a. a frame having a front end portion and a rear endportion; b. an accessory mounting assembly mounted near said front endportion of said frame; c. an unlocking assembly mounted near said frontend portion of said frame; d. a locking assembly mounted near said rearend portion of said frame, said locking assembly having at least alocked position and an unlocked position; e. linking means operativelyconnecting said unlocking assembly and said locking assembly; wherebyactuation of said unlocking assembly changes the position of saidlocking assembly from said locked position to said unlocked position.43. A support frame assembly for supporting a front-mounted accessory ona vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising: a. a frame having afirst end and a second end, said second end being distal from said firstend; b. an accessory mounting assembly mounted near said first end ofsaid frame; c. unlocking means mounted near said first end of saidframe; d. locking means mounted near said second end of said frame, saidlocking means being distal from said unlocking means; e. linking meansoperatively connecting said unlocking means and said locking means;whereby actuation of said unlocking means opens said locking means. 44.A method to install a front-mounted accessory support frame assembly ona vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising a locking mechanism,said vehicle comprising support means and a winch with winch cable, saidmethod comprising: a. driving said vehicle partly over said supportframe assembly; b. attaching said winch cable to said support frameassembly; c. raising said support frame assembly with said winch; d.aligning said locking mechanism with said support means; e. pushing saidsupport frame assembly in order for the locking mechanism to lock onsaid support means; f. lowering said support frame assembly.
 45. Amethod to uninstall a front-mounted accessory support frame assemblyfrom a vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising a lockingmechanism mechanically linked to an unlocking means, said vehiclecomprising support means and a winch with winch cable, said methodcomprising: a. lowering said support frame assembly using said winch; b.unlocking said locking mechanism from said support means by actuatingsaid unlocking means; c. pulling said support frame assembly whilemaintaining the actuation of said unlocking means; d. detaching saidwinch cable from said support frame assembly.